Cannabinoids as gastrointestinal anti-inflammatory drugs

Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017 Mar;29(3). doi: 10.1111/nmo.13038.

Abstract

In this mini-review, we focus on the potential of the endocannabinoid system as a target for novel therapies to treat gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation. We discuss the organization of the endocannabinoid signaling and present possible pharmacological sites in the endocannabinoid system. We also refer to recent clinical findings in the field. Finally, we point at the potential use of cannabinoids at low, non-psychoactive doses to counteract non-inflammatory pathological events in the GI tract, like chemotherapy-induced diarrhea, as evidenced by Abalo et al. in the rat model.

Keywords: endocannabinoid metabolism; gastrointestinal tract; inflammation; “classical” and “non-classical” cannabinoid receptors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cannabinoids / pharmacology
  • Cannabinoids / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / methods
  • Endocannabinoids / pharmacology
  • Endocannabinoids / therapeutic use
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / pharmacology
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / drug effects
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / physiology
  • Humans
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / physiology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cannabinoids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid